"We are Guyana". So often that is our pattern of
thinking. We travel on the mini- bus and we complain that they play "their"
type of music, not ours. Well, they are coming up with some very
beautiful tunes. The No.1 hit at present - 'It wasn't me' - has a very
catchy tune. If they cease the vulgarity, we may well be happy to call
that our form of music.

But I am not talking about music today. I am referring to water, that
indispensable something in our lives. It must be safe for drinking,
for bathing, for cooking, for washing. Is it so everywhere in Guyana?
Definitely, NO.

First, let' s see what news we have on water. On March 21 we learnt
that the United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, was urging
the world to safeguard the global supply of healthy water and to
ensure that everyone has access to it. We accept the message and that
is the end of the matter. In one ear and out the other.

The Georgetown Sewer-age and Water Commission (GS&WC) sends
consumers a Water Supply and Sewerage Service Bill which is being
issued for the first time. One sheet explains the bill and gives the
consumer tips on how to conserve water. This is to be read and
remembered because the installation of meters is going ahead and if we
continue to waste water, as we do, we will all be crying when we
receive charges for metered water.

The GS&WC is now warning about water shortage, a warning that was
expected weeks ago as we have had a very long dry season.

In Georgetown, as long as we are supplied with water that appears
reasonably healthy, we are satisfied. After all, "We are Guyana".
Little do we care about those who have no supply of safe water.

Let us spare a moment to consider the plight of consumers affected by
the Omai Gold Mines spill of approximately 3.2 billion litres of
cyanide and heavy metal laced tailings into the Omai River in August,
1995.

Negotiations followed and, in time, it was business as usual. Not so,
for the riverain dwellers around Bartica who for generations have
depended on the river as their one and only source of water. Now, they
have lost confidence in the safety of the water and experience is
teaching them that there should be no confidence. Their children who
enjoy swimming and playing in the water suffer from skin rashes and
skin diseases.

Communities in the Bartica area are most unhappy as "we"
would be if we had to depend on river water that at one time was
severely contaminated.

Residents of 14 riverain communities are now compelled to buy tanks
to store water. They have to make adjustments to the roofing and
guttering of their homes in order to collect water when it rains. In
this severe drought, can "we" imagine what is their plight?

Out of sight, out of mind. There are few Rudy Grants among us so we
spend no sleepless nights considering the plight of riverain
consumers.

Wells are provided but are not adequate for the communities. Many
residents have to walk long distances in order to obtain drinking
water from these wells.

Let me ask a question? How many of us are aware that the Guyana
Research Environmental and Educational Network (GREEN) was launched
with Guyanese and American personnel specifically to assist these
communities and to seek compensation for them? "They are out of
sight," We are Guyana. We are well provided with drinking water.

A friend writes:

"Water rights and clean water will probably be recognized as one
of the greatest issues and problems for the 21st century."

The Guyana Consumers' Association was told in December last year by
Mr Patrick Hawker, the National Water Policy Adviser, that the Policy
would be implemented after the National Elections. The Association was
concerned about tariff levels and social inclusion. As stakeholders
the Association looks forward to consultation on this.

It is the duty of us in the capital city to recognize the problems
faced by consumers throughout Guyana. When we think "We are
Guyana" that "we" must be all-inclusive. It is our duty
to know what is occurring in all parts of our country and there is an
obligation to seek safe water for all.